MARIETTA — The Marietta City Schools transportation department decided to use money from this year’s fundraiser to help schools devastated by the tornado that swept through Oklahoma two weeks ago.

Mark Lindstrom, the department’s director, said bus drivers, monitors and staff raised $230 for the Oklahoma State School Boards Association during an end-of-the-year cookout last week.

“We are thrilled to help out the victims and hope that it goes to the school children in that community,” he said. “It isn’t a huge amount, but it’s a huge amount in the short time we were able to raise it.”

This year’s cookout featured a dunking booth, where participants paid to play.

“I think that generated some interest and people gave some extra dollars because it’s such a good cause,” he said.

Lindstrom said they usually pick a local charity to donate money to but this year would be an exception because of the number of schools destroyed in Oklahoma.

The district learned about how to send supplies and money specifically to the schools in an email they received from the Oklahoma State School Boards Association last week.

“Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts go out to the victims of the recent tornadoes,” the email states. “When members of our OSSBA family are hurting, OSSBA family are hurting, we are all hurting. We would like to offer an opportunity for those wishing to give to have an outlet to do so.”

The organization is asking for school supplies, as well as canned goods, diapers, clothes, cat and dog food, cleaning supplies and anything else that might help the survivors get back on their feet.

Anyone else interested in making a donation can send it to Oklahoma State School Boards Association, 2801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 125, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4223.

*We welcome your comments on the stories and issues of the day and seek to provide a forum for the community to voice opinions. All comments are subject to moderator approval before being made visible on the website but are not edited. The use of profanity, obscene and vulgar language, hate speech, and racial slurs is strictly prohibited. Advertisements, promotions, and spam will also be rejected. Please read our terms of service for full guides